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SB 110

Motor Vehicles - Accidents - Required Testing for Impaired Driving (Mateo's Law)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nick Charles

Maryland bill requiring mandatory impairment testing for drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents to improve detection and prosecution of impaired driving cases.

First Reading Judicial Proceedings
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Bill Summary · SB 110

Legislative bill overview

SB 110, known as "Mateo's Law," requires mandatory testing for impaired driving (drugs and/or alcohol) following motor vehicle accidents in Maryland. The bill appears designed to establish standardized protocols for identifying impaired drivers involved in collisions, though specific testing thresholds and implementation details are not publicly available in the current legislative record.

Why is this important

Impaired driving remains a leading cause of traffic fatalities and injuries. Mandatory testing following accidents could improve detection of intoxicated drivers, support criminal prosecutions, and potentially deter impaired driving. The bill's nickname suggests it may be named after a victim, indicating community concern about this public safety issue.

Potential points of contention

  • Fourth Amendment concerns: Mandatory testing without clear consent frameworks could face constitutional challenges regarding unreasonable searches, particularly for drugs
  • Implementation costs and resources: Widespread mandatory testing requires funding for trained personnel, testing equipment, and lab capacity that may strain state resources
  • Scope ambiguity: Unclear whether testing applies to all accidents or only those meeting severity thresholds, and whether results obtained can be used in civil liability cases beyond criminal prosecution

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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